Price

Price sits close to the northern section of the San Rafael Swell, which is home to vast deserts, yawning canyons, and fascinating rock formations. The area is known for its coal mining, as well as its recreational opportunities. Price is a great jumping-off point for visits to Goblin Valley State Park and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. You'll find some amazing pictograph and petroglyph rock art at places like Nine Mile Canyon, Wedge Overlook, and Buckhorn Draw. The Huntington Eccles Canyon National Scenic Byway is nearby with its views of vertical cliffs and escarpments, unique vegetation, and crystal water lakes.

Culture and Heritage Activities

Price was a typical Mormon community, then the railroad came through town. Coal mining soon replaced ranching and farming as the town was flooded with immigrants from around the world. The Price area has some great museums, such as the The Prehistoric Museum, USU Eastern. The Price Mural captures much of the area's history in a colorful work of art in the Price Municipal Building. In nearby Helper, you'll find the Western Mining and Railroad Museum. The art of ancient cultures is well-represented in Nine Mile Canyon, a 40-mile stretch that can take the better part of a day to fully experience its pictographs and petroglyphs. The nearby San Rafael Swell area shelters many old cowboy and mine sites. Price is also home to the Utah State University, Eastern.

Family Fun Attractions

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry has a newly renovated and expanded visitor center containing a 30-foot Allosaur skeletal mount and almost two dozen other new exhibits. Located 32 miles south of Price on Hwys 10, 155, and then signed county roads, (435) 636-3600.

Desert Wave Pool has three action waves and calm water for year-round swims, 240 East 500 North, (435) 637-7946.

The Prehistoric Museum, USU Eastern: Located in downtown Price, Utah this museum offers the visitor extensive exhibits in paleontology, archaeology, and geology including a reconstruction of a huge Columbian mammoth and activity areas for the kids. 155 E. Main St., (435) 613-5060.

Photo by Mark Osler

The North Springs Shooting Complex is nestled in the hills by Wattis, an old mining community 15 miles south of Price. The facility has many venues and will accommodate shooters of all ages and abilities, including the Law Enforcement Training Range and Public Range, (435) 636-3705.

In the Vicinity Cultural & Heritage Attractions

The Museum of the San Rafael shows the geologic attributes, plant, and animal life of the area, along with native artifacts and history. The Pioneer Museum provides a glimpse of the hardy, dedicated farmers and ranchers who sought their living from an unforgiving land.

Family Fun Activities

The Aquatic Center offers an indoor and outdoor pool. The indoor pool is used for lap swimming, diving, recreational swimming, and play. The outdoor pool has a lazy river feature, big water toy, whirlpool, and water sprinkler.

For more detailed information on attractions, accommodations and dining, visit Carbon Country Office of Tourism www.castlecountry.com

Price